Hong Kong braces for flash flooding as forecaster issues red and amber rain alerts; afternoon school suspended
- Observatory issues warning at 10.35am as heavy rain hits city
- Education Bureau says afternoon school will be suspended but other sessions will continue as normal
Hong Kong’s Observatory issued a red rainstorm warning signal for the city at 10.35am on Monday. Afternoon sessions in schools have been suspended, and the forecaster said further heavy rain could cause serious road flooding and traffic congestion.
“Heavy rain will bring flash floods, and flooding is occurring or is expected to occur in watercourses,” it said. “People should stay away from watercourses.”
The signal was downgraded to amber about an hour later.
Hong Kong’s rainstorm warning system has three levels, amber, red and black, with black indicating the most serious rainstorm.
A red signal means heavy rain exceeds 50 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue. An amber signal means heavy rain has fallen, or is expected to fall over Hong Kong, exceeding 30 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue.
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